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-------------------------------------------------------------- This story was printed from ZDNet Australia. --------------------------------------------------------------
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Windows XP launch: Join the XPerience By Staff, Special to ZDNet October 25, 2001 URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/software/soa/Windows-XP-launch-Join-the-XPerience/0,130061733,120261419,00.htm
Microsoft officially launched Windows XP on the Australian market at Homebush today, the highly anticipated operating system carrying on its shoulders the hopes of an ailing personal computer industry and the weighty controversy surrounding its Passport online authentication system. "Today we say goodbye to the Windows 9x code-base and hello to Windows XP," said Paul Houghton, managing director, Microsoft Australia. Houghton said the new operating system, which was created by over 5,700 team members with input form 750,000 developers around the world, shares its code base with Windows 2000 but carries 17 major architectural changes. Nevertheless, the company says that the operating system will support 90% of applications written in the last 3 years. It is hoped that the new operating system will boost PC sales revenue, which market analyst IDC predicts will to stabilise at negative 5 percent at the close Q4 2001. Microsoft says that it already has 50,000 desktop "commitments" in the Australian corporate market. Dovetailing with Intel's marketing strategy for the Pentium 4, Microsoft is banking on consumer interest in digital audio and video applications to sell Windows XP. The operating system supports 12,000 USB devices and digital multimedia demonstrations, such as, digital audio and video editing, and collaborative video conferencing dominated the event. The consumer enticements may not be enough to lift the PC market out of its slump given that the majority of Microsoft operating systems reach the market through corporate OEM channels. IDC says that "while Windows XP is expected to make headlines and gradually attract users of existing operating systems, many companies are still grappling with the deployment of Windows 2000 systems." The release of Windows XP also brings Microsoft's Passport service to Australian consumers. The Passport service, which can be incorporated into a PC login, is a key component in the software titan's .Net vision. It allows end-users to access online services in consistent manner across a range of net-capable devices, by aggregating client identity associated details such as credit card numbers, at a single point. The system has come under fire from privacy advocates and been received uneasily by US consumers. Microsoft spokesperson, Alison Dodd, concedes that the system places a lot of power and public trust the company's hands but says the Orwellian anxieties are unwarranted. "Microsoft internal policies are more stringent than legislation requires," she said. "They've been in place for many years." She also pointed out that the application programming interface (API) component of the .Net platform that Passport is built on is designed so that third parties can incorporate it into their own authentication mechanisms. In other words Microsoft may not be the sole guardian of sensitive user information. The launch lead-upZDNet Australia takes a look at the news leading up to the Microsoft Windows XP launch. Harris delivers Windows XP early Should you set your sights on Windows XP? XP Countdown: All the FAQs Special: Microsoft Windows XP XP meets pockets of IT resistance Microsoft's music plan out of tune Patent suit aims at XP, .Net Microsoft to offer online aid for Windows XP Microsoft Australia contemplates XP education discounts Korean companies to fight Windows XP Consumer groups slam Windows XP Don't expect XP early in Aust
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